Lasting machine



March 3, 1936. E. c. LIVINGSTON LASTING MACHINE Filed June 7, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l mvsmon. Elmer ll. -Livingstun ATTORNEYS.

March 3, 1936.

E. C. LIVINGSTON LASTING MACHINE Fild June 7, 1954 8 if f 53 15 J A 1 5a 82 6 5/ f3 0 l0 9 a FIG 5a H a; a

22 I 8 I 6 52 H 3f /3 f 56 5 z 'NL "1, n1; gum! 21 M f8 23 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 18 Claims.

The present invention relates to machines for use in the manufacture of shoes and more specifically to that type of lasting machine such as disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial Number 691,983, filed October 3, 1933, particularly designed for assembling the sole and upper of puritan or pre-welt shoes.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a lasting machine for use in the manufacture of those types of shoes having an outwardly projecting sole attaching portion or welt extended entirely about the lower edge of the shoe upper, wherein the usual tacking methods as now employed may be dispensed with and thereby resulting in a material saving in the cost of last replacements.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lasting machine for prewelt shoes, embodying means for firmly stretching the shoe upper ing entirely about the margin of the last and upon which the welt rests in a manner whereby the outsole may be cemented thruout its marginal portion to the welt.

A further object of the invention resides in the novel cooperative arrangement of the forming members wherein a pair of complementary forming members for drawing the shoe upper about the fore part of the last, act to automatically actuate a pair of complementary forming members arranged for drawing the rear portion of the shoe upper about the heel portion of the last.

A still further object resides in the adjustability of parts whereby various sizes of shoes may be operated upon.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section thru the upper portion of the lasting machine showing the forming members in a closed 45 position as when drawing the shoe upper over the last.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view showing the forming means in a closed position,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan \iew showing the forming means in an open position.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view thru the jack and heel former support and about the last and providing a support extendshowing the manner of lasting the upper and applying the sole thereto.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is an enlarged transverse section thru one of the forming members or clamps for the toe portion of the last.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of one of the toe forming members showing the wiper portion detached from the lasting arm.

Referring to the drawings in detail and wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts thruout the several views, the improved lasting machine comprises a frame A embodying end standards 5 and 6 upon which is supported a substantially fiat table top I which may be of rectangular shape in plan or any other suitable shape. Arranged at about the central portion of the top 1 is an adjustable and bodily movable jack structure B adapted to removably support a last C in an inverted position above the top 1. Placed upon the last C is a shoe upper 8 about the lower edge of which has been sewed a welting or welt strip 9 which projects outwardly from the lower edge of the upper and provides a. sole attaching welt portion to which an outsole I0 is to be stitched.

Cooperatively associated with the jack B is a forming device or means D for drawing or pulling the upper 8 firmly over the last C and embodying a toe former II and a heel former I2. A clamping device or means E is provided for applying a clamping action upon the forming means D whereby the upper 8 will be properly drawn over the last C. The letter F may designate operating means for actuating the forming means D, while G designates an operating means for actuating the clamping means E. The letter H designates an adjustable heel abutment or stop co-acting with the forming means D.

Referring particularly now to the construction and manner of mounting the jack B, the jack comprises a last pin or standard l3 extended vertically thru an opening l4 formed in the top I and provided at its intermediate portion with a screw threaded portion I 5. The opening [4 is elongated longitudinally of the top 1 and permits limited lateral shifting of the last pin in a direction longitudinally of the top. The upper end of the last pin is formed with a reduced shouldered portion adapted to be received in the usual socket I6 provided adjacent the heel portion of the last C. Reciprocally guided for horizontal movement in a slide I! at the under side of the top 1 is a slide block l8 having a vertical bore I9 in which the lower end of the last pin I3 is vertically movable and retained against rotation by a suitable key or spline on the last pin working in a keyway in the bore 9. Screw threaded on the threaded portion l5 of the last pin I3 is a shouldered hand wheel 20 which is adapted to engage upon the upper surface of the top 1 to form an adjustable support for the last pin whereby the last C may be vertically adjusted with respect to the top 1. .Rigidly attached at one end to the last pin |3 above the threaded portion l5 and extending horizontally and in a radial direction from the last pin is a splined arm 2| forming a supporting arm for an extensible, Vertically disposed toe rest 22. This toe rest 22 in theexample shown comprises two telescopically arranged sections retained in vertically adjusted relation by a wing nut 22. Thus the toe rest 22 is held in a vertical position and may be slid along the splined arm 2| toward and away from the last pin l3 so as to properly engage the toe portion of lasts of different sizes.

Pivoted at one end in any suitable manner to the under side of the top 1 to have swinging movement in a horizontal plane, is a jack shifting lever 23 having a pivotal connection intermediate of its ends as at 24 with the slide block |8 whereby thru swinging of the lever, the jack structure and last supported'thereon may be manually shifted in a direction toward and from the heel stop H.

The forming means D embodies a slide block or carrier 25 reciprocally guided in a slide 26 upon the upper side of the top I so as: to havereciprocatory movement in a direction toward and from the jack B longitudinally of the top. Provided at the inner end of the carrier 25 is an upwardly offset bearing portion 21 in the forward end of which is mounted a pair of vertically disposed pivot pins 28 each having portions projecting above and below the bearing portion 21. Pivotally mounted upon the upper end of these pivot pins 28 is a pair of complementary forming members 30 for drawing or pulling the toe and side portions of the upper 8 over the last C and supporting the welting along these toe and side portions of the upper in a position to receive the outsole H]. The forming members 30 each embody a lasting arm 3| pivoted at their outer ends one upon each of the pivot pins 28. Removably positioned along the inner edge ofeach lasting arm 3| is a wiper 32 and the inner working edges of these wipers are shaped to conform to the edge contour of the last and also to the longitudinal curvature of that portion of the margin of the last about the toe and side portions rearwardly to the shank. The wipers are somewhat L-shaped in top plan and are beveled off at their under sides along the working edges as more clearly shown in Figure 7 to present smooth fiat upper surfaces 33 upon which the welts 9 may rest when the forming members are closed for drawing the upper over the last. The inner edges of the lasting arms 3| are formed with a rabbet 34 forming a flange upon which the wiper 32 rests. The vertical wall of the rabbet 34 is formed with a dovetailed slot 35 for receiving a dove-tailed projection 36 formed on the wiper. As shown in Figure 8, the wipers may be slid downwardly into position upon the lasting arms and held in position by the dove-tailed coupling. It is preferred, however, that a set screw 31 be threaded thru each lasting arm and engage the projection 36 so as to prevent accidental displacement of the wiper. With this arrangement of removable wipers, the wipers may. be readily changed for different widths and sizes of shoes thus eliminating the necessity of substituting whole forming members in order to change from one size shoe toanother. The inner or free ends of the lasting arms extend beyond the inner ends of the wpers 32 and. form bearing portions 38.

Pivoted upon the lower end of each of the pivot pins 28 is a spreading lever 39 and these levers serve to normally spread the forming members at their inner or free ends. These levers 39 are pivoted intermediate their ends and have their ends adjacent the jack B turned upwardly to engage suitable lugs 48 formed on the under side of the lasting arms 3|. The opposite ends of the levers 39 are connected by a coil spring 4| which acts to normally urge the upturned ends of the levers apart and thru engagement with the lugs 46 spread the forming members 30 apart.

Projecting downwardly from the under side of the slidable carrier 25 and extending thru a slot 42 in the top 1, is a lug 43 provided below the top ,1 with an opening 44 which extends thru the lug parallel to the direction of sliding movement of the carrier. This lug 43 co-acts with the operating means F for imparting movement to the carrier 25.

Referring now to the heel abutment or stop H, r

the same embodies a substantially L-shaped bracket formed with a base portion 45 and an upright portion 46. The horizontal or base portion 45 has slidable bearing upon the top 1 and is provided with a lug 41 working in a slot 48 formed transversely in the top 1. This lug 41 and slot 48 permits adjustment of the bracket transversely of the top and the bracket is held in adjusted position by means of a bolt 49 upon which is threaded a hand Wheel 50 serving to clamp the bracket to the top. The upright bracket portion 46 is formed substantially midway of its height with an opening 5|, and guided for vertical movement in the portion 46 so as to extend thru the opening 5| is a supporting post or shaft 52 having.

a threaded portion 53 intermediately of its ends. Screw threaded upon this threaded portion 53 is a suitable hand wheel 54 which is held against up and down movement in the opening 5|. Rotation of the hand wheel 54 will serve to raise and lower the post 52.

Arranged in the upright bracket portion 46 above the opening 5| is an adjustable heel rest embodying a stem 55 which extends diametrically thru the post 52 and is slidably guided in an opening 56 in the portion 46. The stem 55 is of sub stantially oval-shape in cross section to prevent rotation of the stem and at the outer end of the stem is provided a screw threaded shank 51 for receiving a hand wheel 58 held against axial movement by a suitable retaining plate 59 engaging in an annular groove in the hand wheel. Rotation of the hand wheel 58 serves to feed the stem 55 inwardly and outwardly thru the bracket portion 46. The inner end of the stem 55 may be provided with a cushioned head 60 adapted to be engaged by the heel portion of the last.

The supporting post 52 is provided with an opening 6| which is elongated longitudinally of the post and receives therethru the stem 55 whereby the stem serves to prevent rotation of the supporting post and permits raising and lowering of the post upon rotation of the hand wheel 54. v

The vertically adjustable supporting post or shaft 52 has mounted upon its upper end, the heel former |2. The heel former |2 comprises a pair of complementary forming members or lasting arms 62 pivoted upon a stud 63 formed on the upper end of the post 52 and retained against displacement by a set screw 64. The working edges of the arms 62 are beveled at their under sides and are shaped to conform to the edge contour of the last about the heel portion thereof. The arms 62 are halved at their pivot ends as shown in Figures 5 and 6 and have such interfitting relation as to provide a continuous welt supporting portion about their inner working edges when the arms are closed as in Figure 2. Each lasting arm 62 is provided with an extension 65 and a coil spring 56 connects the free ends of these extensions and acts to normally spread the lasting arms as in Figure 3. By rotating the hand wheel 54, the post 52 may be raised or lowered to properly align the lasting arms 62 with the heel portion of the last.

The clamping device or means E for applying a closing pressure upon the formers II and I2 embodies a pair of bell crank clamping levers 68 pivoted at their elbow upon pivots 69 disposed below the top 1. The upstanding arm portions of these levers 68 extend thru suitable openings 10 in the top I at opposite sides of the heel stop H and have their upper extremities inwardly offset and provided with ball means H for engaging the straight flat bearing surfaces along the outer sides of the bearing portions 38 of the lasting arms 3|. The lower shorter arms of the levers 68 have their ends extending in overlying relation and are longitudinally slotted as at 12 in Figure 4 to receive a coupling pin 13 acting to open and close the ball end H. Closing of the clamping levers 68 will act to close the forming members 30, which, thru their closing movement will engage and cause the forming members 82 to be closed about the heel of the last.

The operating means F for actuating the forming members D embodies a bell crank lever 14 pivoted at its elbow as at 15 upon the inner end of the bar 16 adjustably mounted in a guide 11 upon the standard 5 and retained in adjusted position by a suitable wing screw 18. Pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of the short vertical arm: of the bell crank lever 14 as by a coupling head 19 is an actuating bolt having its opposite end slidably extending thru the opening 44 in the lug 43. Threaded upon the inner end of the bolt 80 are look nuts 8| which engage the lug 43 to retract the carrier 25 when the operating means F is released. Encircling the bolt 80 with one end acting upon the lug 43 and its opposite end acting upon the coupling head 19 is a coil spring 82 forming a yieldable actuating means between the operating means F and forming means D. Pivotally connected at its upper end to the free end of the longer horizontal arm of the bell crank lever 14 is a link 83 which may be pulled downwardly in any suitable manner and preferably by means of a foot lever or treadle such as that disclosed in my co-pending application referred to. As will be observed, when the link 83 is drawn downwardly, the vertical arm of the bell crank lever 14 acts to compress the spring 82 against the lug 43 and yieldably shift the forming means D toward the jack structure B. A return spring 84 having its upper end suitably connected to the top I and its lower end connected to the link 83 acts to normally urge the link upwardly and return the forming means D to a released open position.

pin 13 serving to open and close the lever arms 68. The link 85 may be pulled downwardly in any suitable manner and preferably by means of a foot lever or treadle such as disclosed in my copending application referred to. A return spring 86 having its upper end connected to the top I and its lower end connected to the link 85, acts to normally urge the link upwardly so that the pin 13 spreads the clamping levers 68. By observing Figure 4 it will be seen that when the link 85 is pulled downwardly, the pin 13 will act in the slot 12 to close the upper end of the levers 68 upon the bearing portions 38 of the lasting arms 3|.

In use of the machine, with the welt strip 9 sewed to the upper 8, the welted upper is placed on the last C and the welting turned so that the lasting arms 3|-3l and 6262 may enter between the upper and Welt. If found necessary when lasting large size shoes, the upper may be held on the last by tacks as shown at a and b in Figure 5. With the means D and E of the machine in a released position, the lasting arms 3l3l and 62-62 will be spread apart as shown in Figure 3 and the carrier 25 in its rearward position in the slide 26. The jack shifting lever 23 is swung toward the left, considering Figure 3, and the jack B shifted away from the heel stop H so that the last may be placed upon the last pin l3 with its toe portion engaging upon the toe rest 22.

With the last in position upon the jack, the operating means F is actuated and the forming means E moved thereby toward the heel stop H. This moves the forming members 30 in a spread position toward the last so that the toe portions of the wipers 32 engage in the V pockets about the toe of the shoe and shift the last and jack against the heel stop 60. After engagement of the last with the stop 60, further pressure exerted on the forming means will cause the forming members 30 to be swung inwardly towards one another into the V pockets along the sides of the shoe. This closing of the forming members 30 will cause the bearing portions 38 thereof to engage the lasting arms 62 and automatically close these arms about the heel of the last. The clamping means E is then actuated by the operating means G for closing the upper ends of the clamping levers upon the free ends of the lasting arms 3| whereby the shoe upper will be firmly pulled over the last about the entire margin of the last. When in a closed position as in Figure 2, the forming members 30-30 and 6262 provide a substantially continuous ledge or support upon which the welt 9 rests thruout substantially its entire length.

An insole or filler 88 is then applied and then the outsole l0 positioned over the bottom of the last and a bond made between the outsole and welt by means of a quick drying cement or the like providing a preliminary bond between the outsole and the welt. As the welt is supported thruout substantially its entire length, the cementing of the outsole to the welt may be so strongly formed as to prevent accidental separation after the last is removed from the machine.

In removing the last from the machine after the outsole has been cemented to the welt, the operator releases the operating means F and G which are automatically returned by their respective coil springs 84 and 86. Release of the operating means F and G allows the spreading of the forming members 3030 'and' 62+6'2' and shifts the toe former H away from the heel stop. The jack shifting lever 23 is then operated to shift the jack away from the heel stop so'that the last may be removed from the jack without marring the shoe upper. After removal from the 'machine, the shoe is ready for the stitching operation thru the welt and outsole which forms a permanent bond.

By having the Wipers 32 readily removable, different sizes and styles of wipers may be quickly and easily applied to the lasting arms for use upon different sizes of shoes. The heel former I2 may also be readily changed by merely removing the cap screw 64 altho the heel former will not necessarily need to be changed unless operating upon shoes having a wide variation in sizes. The heel abutment 8 is also adjustable to accommodate different sizes of shoes and also compensate for any variations in the last.

Changes in details may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

: I claim:

1. In a prewelt lasting machine, means for supporting a Welted shoe upper in an inverted position, complementary heel formers for engaging beneath the welt about the heel of the shoe, complementary toe formers for engaging beneath the welt about the toe and side portions of'the shoe, and a single actuating means for closing the formers about the shoe upper to provide a support substantially thruout the entire length of the welt.

2. In a prewelt lasting machine, means for supporting a welted shoe upper in'an inverted position, a complementary pair of heel forming members for closing about the heel portion of the upper beneath the welt, a complementary pair of toe forming members for closing about the fore part of the upper beneath the welt, and means for closing one pair of forming members and causing closing of the other pair of forming members thereby to form a supporting ledge beneath the welt.

3. In a prewelt lasting machine, last supporting means, a pair of pivoted toe forming members for pulling the toe and side portions of a shoe upper over the fore part of the last, a pair of pivoted heel forming members for pulling the heel portion of the shoe upper over the heel of the last and having portions disposed in the path of movement of the toe forming members, and means for imparting closing movement ith a clamping action to the toe forming members.

4. In a prewelt lasting machine, last supporting means, a pair of toe forming members pivotally and slidably movable with respect to the last, means for closing the forming members about the fore part of the last, and a pair of pivoted heel forming members closed about the heelportion of the last by closing movement of the toe forming members and forming therewith a welt support about the lower margin of the last.

5.-In a prewelt lasting machine, a jack, forming means movable toward and from the jack and embodying a pair of pivoted toe forming members for pulling the fore part of a shoe upper over a last supported on said jack, a pair of pivoted heel forming members for pulling the rear portion or the shoe upper over the last and having portions lying inwardly of the free ends of the toe forming members, and clamping means acting upon the toe forming" members to"cause closing ofboth pairs of forming members.

6'. In a prewelt lasting machine, a frame, a jack supported on the frame, a heel abutment on the frame at the heel end of the jack, a carrier slidable on the frame at the toe end of the jack, a pair of toe forming members pivotally mounted on the carrier, a pair of heel forming means pivotally mounted on the heel abutment and having their free ends disposed between the free ends of thetoe forming members in the path of closing movement of the latter, and clamping means for closing the toe forming members.

' 7. In a prewelt lasting machine, a frame, a jack laterally movable on the frame, a heel abutment at one sidefof the jack, a. pair of heel forming members pivoted on the jack, a pair of toe forming members pivotally and slidably movable with respect to the jack, and means for closing the toeforming members, said heel forming members being closed thru engagement of the toe forming members therewith.

8. In a prewelt lasting machine, a frame including a top, a heel abutment mounted 'on the top, a jack movable on the top toward and from the heel abutment, a pair of lasting arms pivoted on the heel abutment and extending toward the jack, acarrier slidab-le on the top towards and from the jack, a pair of lasting arms pivotally mounted on the carrier and extending toward the heelabutment with their free ends extending outwardly of the ends of the first mentioned lasting arms, means for moving the carrier toward the jack,- and clamping means for closing the last--' ing arms thru engagement with the lasting arms on said carrier for pulling a welted shoe upper over a last supported on the jack and providing a support for the welt about the lower margin of the last.

9. In a prewelt lasting machine, a frame including a top, a heel abutment mounted on the top, a jack, a'slidable carrier, a complementary pair of toe forming members pivotally mounted on the carrier for closing about the fore part of a Welted shoe'upper and providing a support for the welt about the toe and along the sides of the upper, means normally spreading the forming members apart, means for moving the carrier toward the jack for bringing the forming members into operative relation to the upper, a complementary pair of heel forming members pivotally mounted on the heel abutment for closing about the heel of the upper. to provide a support for the welt about the heel of the upper and having closing movement imparted thereto by the toe forming members, means normally spreading the toe formingmembers apart, and clamping means for closing the toe forming members.

10. In a prewelt lasting machine, aframe including a top, a heel abutment mounted on the top, a jack movable toward and from the heel abutment, a lever for shifting the jack toward and from the heel abutment, a carrier slidable in the direction of shifting movement of the jack, a complementary pair of toe forming members pivotally mounted on the carrier for closing about the fore part of a welted shoe upper beneath the welt thereof along the toe and sides of the upper, means normally spreading the forming members apart,means for moving the carrier towards the jack, a complementary pair of heel forming members pivotally mounted on the heel abutment for closing about the heel portion of the upper beneath the welt thereof and adapted to be closed by the toe forming members, means normally spreading the. heel forming members apart, clamping arms engaging the toe forming members for closing the same, and actuating means for the clamping arms.

11. In a prewelt lasting machine, a heel abutment, a jack shiftable toward and from the heel abutment, a lever for shifting the jack, lasting arms pivoted on the heel abutment for co-acting with the heel portion of a welted upper, lasting arms for co-acting with the fore part of the upper, and actuating means for closing the last mentioned lasting arms to cause closing of said first mentioned lasting arms.

12. In a prewelt lasting machine, a frame including a top, a heel abutment embodying a vertically adjustable heel post, a heel rest adjustable transversely of the post and a complementary pair of forming members pivoted upon the upper end of the post, a slide block movable toward and from the heel abutment, a lever for imparting movement to the slide block, a jack embodying a last pin vertically movable in the slide block, means for vertically adjusting the last pin, an arm secured to and extending radially from the last pin and an extensible toe rest adjustable along the arm, a complementary pair of toe forming members, and means for closing the toe forming members and causing closing of the forming members on said post.

13. In a prewelt lasting machine, a frame including a top, a heel abutment on the top, a jack, a complementary pair of heel forming members pivoted on the heel abutment, a complementary pair of toe forming members having their free ends extended to form closing portions for the heel forming members, and means for closing the toe forming members.

14. In a prewelt lasting machine, a heel abutment, a complementary pair of heel forming members having a common pivot axis upon the heel abutment, a jack, a complementary pair of toe forming members having separate pivot points spaced at the opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the jack, said toe forming memfor closing the toe forming members, said bear ing portions engaging and imparting closing movement to the heel forming members.

15. In a prewelt lasting machine, a heel abutment, heel forming means pivoted on the heel abutment, a jack, a pair of pivoted toe forming members each having a lasting arm and a wiper removably supported along the inner edge of the arm, and means for closing the toe forming members, said toe forming members being arranged to engage and cause closing movement of the heel forming members.

16. In a prewelt lasting machine, a heel abutment including a vertically adjustable post, a pair of heel forming members pivoted upon the post, a vertically adjustable jack, a slidable carrier, a pair of toe forming members pivoted on the carrier, and means for closing the toe forming members whereby the same will engage the heel forming members and impart cl'osing movement to the latter.

1'7. In a prewelt lasting machine, a pair of pivoted heel forming members, a jack, a pair of pivoted toe forming members having their free ends extending in closing relation to the heel forming members, and means for imparting closing movement to the toe forming members, said toe and heel forming members when closed providing a substantially continuous support about the margin of a last supported on the jack.

18. In a prewelt lasting machine, a jack, a heel abutment, a carrier slidable toward and. from the toe portion of the jack, a pair of toe forming members pivoted on the carrier for clbsing about the fore part of a welted shoe upper supported on the jack, clamping means for closing the clamping members, and heel forming means supported on the heel abutment and closed about the heel portion of the upper by the toe forming members.

ELMER C. LIVINGSTON. 

